West Virginia offers a diverse array of outdoor recreation opportunities that make it a top destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. From world-class whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers to scenic hiking and rock climbing in the iconic New River Gorge National Park, the Mountain State delivers thrilling experiences year-round. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, mountain biking, and winter sports in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. With its lush forests, winding rivers, and rich heritage, West Virginia offers a perfect setting for families, solo travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore breathtaking natural landscapes. Be sure to visit our guide for information about indoor and outdoor recreation in West Virginia.
One of the oldest rivers in the world, the New River courses more than 300 miles through North Carolina, Virginia, and, perhaps most famously, West Virginia. Downstream, in West Virginia, the New River Gorge takes its place as the jewel of this ancient river and is the scene of soaring cliffs and pounding waters surging … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is asking hunters and anglers to enter showcase pieces for its big buck and trophy fish display at the National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration at Stonewall Resort State Park on Sept. 22-23. Mounted trophy white-tailed bucks with a Pope-and-Young or Boone-and-Crockett score of 140 or greater that were … Read more
A whitewater-rafting trip on the New River may be the most exciting adventure many people experience, but one outfitter is ensuring guests have the opportunity to enjoy its lighter aspect. Entry-level float trips can provide beginners and families with children as young as six an ideal introduction to the river — affordable excursions that don’t … Read more
Communities along the Guyandotte River in south-western West Virginia are celebrating the restoration of the scenic waterway July 14 with an inaugural kayak and canoe float and regatta at five locations along its valley. More than 300 kayakers are expected to join in the festivities at Mullens, Gilbert, Branchland, Barboursville, and at Dabney, near Logan, … Read more
Officials in the West Virginia state park system are encouraging visitors to celebrate National Canoe Day June 26 by taking a canoe or kayak out for a paddle at a state park or forest lake. Gift shops at state parks and forests that offer canoe or kayak rentals are offering a discount of 20 percent … Read more
Organizers of an annual flat-water kayaking tour on the Coal River at Saint Albans, West Virginia, say they think their event may now be the nation’s largest. Following a 14 percent increase in kayaking participation, Bill Currey, co-founder and chair of Coal River Group, said the June 16 festival may have broken a national record. … Read more
A whitewater rafting trip on the New River is only a bus-ride away for residents of the Kanawha Valley, thanks to a partnership between River Expeditions and the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau. On the first Saturdays of July, August, and September, the bureau’s Fun Bus will leave Charleston for a day of adventure near … Read more
A new West Virginia “noodling” or hand-fishing season launches June 15, according to the state Division of Natural Resources. A law passed during the 2018 legislative session will allow anglers to hand-fish, or “noodle,” in public waters from June 15 to Aug. 31 between sunrise and sunset. Noodlers may only hand-fish in naturally-occurring habitats, such … Read more
As part of the dam-safety program of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Conaway Run Lake, near Middlebourne, in Tyler County, is undergoing repairs June 11-Oct. 31, 2018. Its boat ramp, parking lot, and the access road to its dam will be closed during this time, according to a release from the division. Bank … Read more
The lake at Little Beaver State Park has been nominated one of the best places to go for family-friendly fishing and boating in West Virginia, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. The lake is featured on a “Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat” list “made for moms, by moms,” according to a … Read more
